Apparatus for opening a trash receptacle door

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for opening a trash receptacle door by use of a handle. The handle is connected to the trash receptacle door by a single shaft or a series of shafts and gears connected together which transfer rotary motion. A pulling or pushing force applied to the upper extend or lower extent of the handle respectively will provide a rotational movement which in turn will rotate the connected trash receptacle door to an open position and allow access to the interior of the trash receptacle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of trash receptacles andmore specifically to an apparatus for opening a trash receptacle door.Restaurants and other establishments have trash receptacles for theirpatrons to use to discard their trash when finished eating. Many ofthese trash receptacles have a door that the patron pushes inward byhand in order to access the opening to deposit their trash. Having adoor to partition the inside of the trash receptacle from the outside,has the advantage of hiding the unsightly left over food and trash fromthe view of patrons and reducing the unseemly odors that trash normallyemits. A disadvantage of having a receptacle door is that trash and leftover food deposits will accumulate on its surface during normal use.These trash deposits may stay on the doors surface for hours and thusdevelop bacteria. Naturally, users of the receptacle will use their handto push inward the receptacle door to deposit their trash and thus comeinto contact with the doors surface and its accumulated trash and fooddeposits. This is an unsanitary situation as the bacteria can transferto the users hand and cause infection. This is also an unseemly process,and many users are not inclined to touch the dirty receptacle doorsurface. Other trash receptacles have openings without a door toeliminate this unsanitary problem. Unfortunately, by eliminating thedoor, the patron is not shielded from a clear view of the trash insideand the offensive odors of the trash are free to flow out from thereceptacle. Wind may also be able to enter through the opening and blowthe trash outside of the receptacle. This invention solves theseproblems by allowing the user to open the receptacle door with aconvenient handle which is located away from the door, and thus notrequiring the user to contact the unsanitary receptacle door or trashdeposits.

Some inventions have used a handle that is mounted directly to the trashreceptacle door. As this does provide a handle to open the door, thereare deficiencies with it. Other inventions use a motor that is operatedby an infrared detection sensor to open the door.

By having a handle that is mounted directly to the door, the handleitself may become contaminated with the trash and left over food that isdeposited within the trash receptacle. This again allows an easytransfer of bacteria from the contaminated handles surface to the usershand. Having a motor to open the receptacle door is convenient, butmotors need a source of electricity. If it uses a standard electricaloutlet for electricity, the trash receptacle must be located near anoutlet to function. If it uses a battery, the batteries must be changedwhen they run low on charge in order to function. Electrical motors alsoeventually fail, and will require repair or replacement. This newinvention has the handle located far enough away from the receptacledoor as to not come into contact with the trash during normal use andrequires no electricity.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to provide a method for opening atrash receptacle that does not require a user to touch the trashreceptacle door.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method for opening atrash receptacle door that is more sanitary than some current methods.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method for opening atrash receptacle door that is easy for a user to use.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, anembodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there isdisclosed an apparatus for opening a trash receptacle door. comprising:A trash receptacle door, A handle having one or more extensions, A shafthaving one end connected to said handle and the other end connected tosaid trash receptacle door, A means of connecting said trash receptacledoor to said shaft, A means of connecting said handle to said shaft,whereby a pulling or pushing motion on said handle will rotate thehandle about the axis of said shaft and thus rotate said shaft and thusrotate said trash receptacle door open and allow access to the interiorof the trash receptacle.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there isdisclosed an apparatus for opening a trash receptacle door. comprising:A trash receptacle door, A handle having one or more extensions, Ashaft(A) having one end connected to said handle and a gear(A) affixedto it, A means of connecting said shaft(A) to said handle, A means ofconnecting said shaft(A) to said gear(A), Another shaft(B) having oneend connected to said trash receptacle door and another gear(B) affixedto it, A means of connecting said shaft(B) to the said trash receptacledoor, A means of connecting said shaft(B) to the said gear(B), Anintermediate gear which is connects said gear(A) and gear(B) together bythe gear teeth, whereby a pulling or pushing motion on said handle willcause a rotation of said shaft(A), said gear(A), said intermediate gear,said gear(B), said shaft(B), and the said trash receptacle door whichopen the trash receptacle door and allow access to the interior of thetrash receptacle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and includeexemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects ofthe invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate anunderstanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the trash receptacle door openingapparatus in accordance with the present invention in normal closedposition.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the invention shown in FIG. 1 in openposition.

FIG. 3 is a partial left side elevational view of the invention shown inFIG. 2 in normal closed position.

FIG. 4 is a partial left side elevational view of the invention shown inFIG. 3 in open position.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the invention shown in FIG. 4 in normal closedposition.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the invention shown in FIG. 5 in open position.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged elevational view of the invention showing a firstalternative embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial elevational view of the invention as shownin FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view of the inventions handle assembly asshown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of a third alternative embodimentshowing invention in normal closed position with working componentsexposed.

FIG. 11 is right side elevational view of the invention as shown in FIG.10 in normal closed position with handle assembly on right side withworking components exposed.

FIG. 12 is a partial right side elevational view of the invention asshown in FIG. 10 in open position with working components exposed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein.It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may beembodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed hereinare not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for theclaims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the artto employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailedsystem, structure or manner.

In accordance with the present invention, FIG. 1 shows a first preferredembodiment of the trash receptacle door opening apparatus mounted to thetrash receptacle 29. The invention is shown in the normal closedposition. This embodiment is comprised of the handle assembly HA with anupper and lower extension, trash receptacle door 20, and supportassembly SA. Handle assembly HA is attached to one edge of trashreceptacle door 20 while the support assembly SA is attached to theopposing edge of trash receptacle door 20. The shafts 21 and 26 arepositioned inline to each other as to create a single axis of rotation.It is to be noted that the trash receptacle door is positioned in anormal manner as to be a partition residing within the trash receptacleopening or void 24.

A very important portion of this invention is the new handle assembly HAwhich is comprised of the handle 20, shaft 21, and door mounting bracket22 which are attached together respectively as evident from theillustration. The handle assembly HA is mounted on the left side of thetrash receptacle 29 and is attached to the trash receptacle door 20 bymounting bracket 22. It is to be noted that the handle assembly HA maybe mounted on any side in which normal operation of invention can beaccomplished. Moreover the shaft 21 of the handle assembly HA is placedwithin a void in the left side of the trash receptacle 29 with the voidbeing of large enough extent as to allow for rotational movement of theshaft 21 and thus the handle assembly HA.

Another important part of this invention is the support assembly SAwhich is comprised of the shaft 26 and mounting bracket 27 which areattached together as shown. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the supportassembly SA is mounted on the opposing side from the mounting point ofthe handle assembly HA on the trash receptacle 29 and is attached to thetrash receptacle door 20 by mounting bracket 27. Moreover the shaft 26of the support assembly HA is placed within a void in the shown side ofthe trash receptacle 29 with the void being of large enough extent as toallow for rotational movement of the shaft 26 thus the support assemblySA. Of importance is that shaft 26 is in alignment with shaft 21 forminga single axis of rotation therebetween. It is of note that the handleassembly HA and the support assembly SA can either each alone ortogether support and bear the weight of the trash receptacle door 20.Support of the trash receptacle door 20 is an implied part of thisinvention, but is not a necessary one as other means may support it. Ofimportance is that shaft 21 and shaft 26 are in alignment and form asingle axis of rotation therebetween and provide a rotation axis fortrash receptacle door 20.

The operation of this embodiment of the invention may be understood uponreference to FIG. 1. As a consequence of the components of the inventionconnected together as explained and shown, it is evident that a movementof the handle 20 rotated about axis of shaft 21 normally by hand willtransfer rotational motion to the connected trash receptacle door 20 andthereby cause the trash receptacle door 20 to rotate to an openedposition. Release of the handle 20 by hand or rotation back to itsnormal closed position allow the trash receptacle door 20 to return toits normal closed position. The support assembly SA will rotate insympathetic motion with the attached trash receptacle door 20 and handleassembly HA along the single axis described above.

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1 and shows the invention in the fully openedposition whereby trash may be deposited through trash receptacle opening34. The invention is mounted on trash receptacle 35 in same manner asFIG. 1. Similarly, it shows the handle assembly HA comprised of thehandle 30, shaft 31, and mounting bracket 32 attached to the trashreceptacle door 33 by mounting bracket 32. The support assembly SA isalso comprised of a shaft 36 and mounting bracket 37, and is attached toits side of trash receptacle door 33.

FIG. 3 shows a partial left side elevational view of the inventiondepicted in FIG. 1 in normal closed position mounted on trash receptacle45. Illustrated is the handle assembly HA which is comprised of handle40, shaft 41, and mounting bracket 42. The handle assembly is attachedto the trash receptacle door 43 by the mounting bracket 42 in likemanner as FIG. 1. The trash receptacle door 43 resides within the trashreceptacle opening 44 in like manner as FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a partial left side elevational view of the inventiondepicted in FIG. 3 in fully open position mounted on trash receptacle57. Illustrated is the handle assembly HA which is comprised of handle50, shaft 51, and mounting bracket 52. The handle assembly is attachedto the trash receptacle door 53 by the mounting bracket 52 in likemanner as FIG. 3. The trash receptacle door 53 resides within the trashreceptacle opening 54 in like manner as FIG. 3. The dashed line witharrow represents the movement of the lower portion of trash receptacledoor 53 during opening. For clarity, the left side face 55 and frontside face 56 of trash receptacle 57 is noted.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of invention mounted on trash receptacle 75showing internal working components therein. The invention is in thenormal closed position. As shown are the major components of theinvention. The handle assembly HA being comprised of handle 70, shaft71, and mounting bracket 72 being attached to left side of door 73. Thesupport assembly SA comprised of shaft 76, and mounting bracket 77attached to right side of door 73. As shown the invention is situatednear the trash receptacle opening 74.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of invention mounted on trash receptacle 95similar to FIG. 5 showing internal working components therein asdepicted. The invention is in the fully opened position. The handleassembly HA being comprised of handle 90, shaft 91, and mounting bracket92 and is attached to left side edge of trash receptacle door 93. Thesupport assembly SA comprised of shaft 96, and mounting bracket 97attached to right side of door 93. As shown the invention is situatednear the trash receptacle opening 94.

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a second preferred embodiment of theinvention without a trash receptacle mounting. Shown attached to theleft side of the trash receptacle door is the handle assembly HA1. It isto be noted that an additional handle assembly HA2 is attached on theright side of trash receptacle door, thereby providing for natural rightor left handed use. Handle assembly HA1 is similar to handle assembly HAin FIG. 1, being comprised of handle 110, shaft 111, and mountingbracket 112 with additional bulbous ends 117 attached to handle 110 forconvenient gripping surfaces for the hand. Handle assembly HA2 iscomprised of handle 113, shaft 114, and mounting bracket 115 withadditional bulbous ends 117 attached to handle 113 for convenientgripping surfaces. Mounting screws 118 are used to secure mountingbrackets 112 and 115 to trash receptacle door 116. Secured together asshown, all components form a rigid or semi-rigid structure whereby forceapplied to any portion will cause a similar movement to all components.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged elevational view of the inventions handle assemblyHA being comprised of handle 130, shaft 131, and mounting bracket 132with additional bulbous ends 135 attached to handle 130 for convenientgripping surfaces for the hand. Handle assembly HA is attached to thetrash receptacle door 133 with mounting bracket 132 and securing screws134.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged partial plan view of the inventions handleassembly HA similar to FIG. 8. The handle assembly HA is comprised ofhandle 150, shaft 151, and mounting bracket 152 with additional bulbousend 155 attached to upper portion of handle 130 for convenient grippingsurface for the hand. Handle assembly HA is attached to the trashreceptacle door 153 with mounting bracket 152 and securing screws 154.

FIG. 10 shows a third preferred embodiment of the invention from frontelevational view similar to FIG. 1 with exposed view of trash receptacle221. A very important part of this embodiment of the invention is thenew handle gear assembly HGA which replaces the handle assembly HA fromFIG. 1. Of note is the use of gears for the transmittal of rotationalmotion between the handle 210 and finally to trash receptacle door 220.Handle gear assembly HGA is attached to right side of trash receptacle221. It is noted that handle gear assembly HGA can be mounted on eitherside or both sides of the trash receptacle 221, and is not restricted toa particular side. Thereby this allows for use of the invention byeither hand. The handle gear assembly HGA is comprised of the handle 210with an upper and lower extension that is attached to handle shaft 212that is attached handle gear 211. Further comprising the handle gearassembly HGA is the intermediate shaft 214 intermediate gear 213attached together as illustrated. Lastly comprising the handle gearassembly is the door shaft 215 with attached door dear 216 having shaft215 attached to a mounting bracket 217. The support assembly SA ismounted on the opposing side of trash receptacle 221 in a manner similarto support assembly SA of FIG. 1 and is comprised of shaft 218 andmounting bracket 219 which is attached to the trash receptacle door 220.It is noted that the shafts 212, 214, and 215 are mounted in respectivevoids in the side of the trash receptacle 221 similar to shaft 21 ofFIG. 1, and therefore the shafts may rotate freely within theirrespective voids. Of importance is that the gears 211 and 213 have theirrespective teeth enmeshed together as to allow transfer of rotationalmovement between them. Gears 213 and 216 also have their respectiveteeth enmeshed together as to allow transfer of rotational movementbetween them. It is to be noted that the gear ratios of the abovementioned gears may be adjusted to allow for a multiplying factor forrotation thereby providing for a smaller rotation of the handle 210 tobe transmitted to the trash receptacle 220 as a larger rotation. Ofimportance is that shaft 215 and shaft 218 are in alignment and form asingle axis of rotation therebetween and provide a rotation axis fortrash receptacle door 220.

The operation of embodiment of the invention may be understood uponreference to FIG. 10 which as a consequence of the components of theinvention connected together as previously explained and shown, it isevident that a movement of the handle 210 rotated about axis of handleshaft 212 will transfer rotational motion to the gear 211 then to gear213 and onward to gear 216 and further to its connected door shaft 215and finally to the trash receptacle door 220 and thereby opening trashreceptacle door 220. Release of the handle 210 or reverse rotationalmovement of it from the opening movement will return trash receptacledoor 220 to its normal closed position. The support shaft SA will rotatein sympathetic movement with its connected trash receptacle door 220.

FIG. 11 shows a partial right side elevational view of FIG. 10 showingworking components with exposed view of trash receptacle 175. The handlegear assembly HGA is mounted on the right side of trash receptacle 175.The HGA is shown with a shortened handle 170 to allow clearer viewing ofhandle gear 171, intermediate gear 172, and door gear 173. The trashreceptacle door 174 is situated in its normal closed position. The gears171, 172, 173 have gear teeth enmeshed together as described above forFIG. 10.

FIG. 12 shows a partial right side elevational view similar to FIG. 11showing working components with exposed view of trash receptacle 195 inopened position. The handle gear assembly HGA shown is the same as inFIG. 11 with handle 190, handle gear 191, intermediate gear 192, anddoor gear 193. The trash receptacle door 194 is shown in the openposition. The gears 191, 192, 193 have their respective gear teethenmeshed together as described above for FIG. 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1-12 the invention performs the functions for openinga trash receptacle by providing a the trash receptacle door openingapparatus with a convenient handle for manipulation. It provides a moresanitary method for opening the trash receptacle door while avoidinghaving the user place their hand on the door.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferredembodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention tothe particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended tocover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may beincluded within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

1. An apparatus for opening a trash receptacle door comprising: a trashreceptacle door; a handle having one or more extensions; a shaft havingone end connected to said handle and the other end connected to saidtrash receptacle door; a means of connecting said trash receptacle doorto said shaft; a means of connecting said handle to said shaft; wherebya pulling or pushing force applied to said handle will rotate the saidhandle, said shaft, and said trash receptacle door about the axis ofsaid shaft and thus rotate said trash receptacle door to an openposition and allow access to the interior of the trash receptacle.
 2. Anapparatus for opening a trash receptacle door as claimed in claim 1further comprising a support assembly comprised of a shaft placed inalignment from said shaft in claim 1 providing an axis of rotationtherebetween.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a mountingbracket attached to end of said shaft and further attached to edge ofsaid trash receptacle door.
 4. An apparatus for opening a trashreceptacle door as claimed in claim 1 further comprising multiplehandles extending radially from said shaft;
 5. the apparatus of claims1, 2, 3, and 4 wherein said handles, said trash receptacle door, andsaid shafts are separate parts or one complete part or a combination. 6.An apparatus for opening a trash receptacle door comprising a trashreceptacle door; a shaft(A) having one end connected to said handle anda gear(A) affixed to it; a handle having one or more extensions; a meansof connecting said shaft(A) to said handle; a means of connecting saidshaft(A) to said gear(A); another shaft(B) having one end connected tosaid trash receptacle door and another gear(B) affixed to it; a means ofconnecting said shaft(B) to the said trash receptacle door; a means ofconnecting said shaft(B) to the said gear(B); another shaft(C) affixedto another gear(C) of which is connected to said gear(A) and gear(B) bythe gear teeth; whereby a pulling or pushing force applied to saidhandle will cause a rotation of said shaft(A), said gear(A), saidintermediate gear(C) and its affixed shaft (C), said gear(B), saidshaft(B), and finally to said trash receptacle door which will open thetrash receptacle door and allow access to the interior of the trashreceptacle.
 7. An apparatus for opening a trash receptacle door asclaimed in claim 6 further comprising a support assembly comprised of ashaft placed in alignment from said shaft(B) in claim 1 providing anaxis of rotation therebetween.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 furthercomprising multiple handles extending radially from said shaft(A). 9.The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said handles, said trash receptacledoor, and said shaft are separate parts or one complete part or acombination.